03/06/2026
Today we honour Eddie ‘Koiki’ Mabo, a proud Meriam man from the Torres Strait Islands/ZENADTH KES. Eddie’s advocacy role in First Peoples’ rights, along with fellow plaintiffs, successful overturned the legal fiction of ‘terra nullius’ (‘nobody’s land’).
The Mabo v Queensland (No.2) decision in the High Court on 3 June 1992 provided recognition of the inherent rights of the First Peoples to their traditional lands.
As an artist, he also created maps of land positions on Mer to support as court documents. The Mabo decision paved the way for First Peoples’ land rights and native title claims across Australia.
Eddie also founded the Black Community School that enabled Meriam children to learn language, dance and cultural beliefs. “We knew we came from somewhere that was strong” – Gail Mabo, Eddie Mabo’s daughter.
National Reconciliation Week official concludes today on Mabo Day, but the theme “All in” reminds us that the work of substantive reconciliation continues every day of the year.
Be curious, ask questions, keep learning and choose actions that bring about meaningful change. How will you continue to be “All in”?
